Nightfall had just descended, and a large speedboat appeared on the sea near Margarita Island, heading toward the open sea.

The CIA spy boat was still there, and soon it came into view.

"There it is."

Jiang Feng, who was in charge of operating the speedboat, asked Song Heping with some concern, "Boss, Americans are generally unreliable."

"No," Song Heping said, "Americans are not unreliable; they are very reliable when interests align with their stance and very unreliable when interests diverge. At least for now, they don't want to fall out with me, especially not a department like the CIA."

Jiang Feng wondered, "How can you be so confident?"

Song Heping said, "The most important part of analyzing something is to see through its surface to its essence. Essentially, there is no absolute conflict of interest between the CIA and me, at least not for now, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to secure orders from the US Army. Believe it or not, after tonight, we might have another avenue for business."

Jiang Feng incredulously said, "Are you kidding?!"

Song Heping said, "Just watch."

Soon, the speedboat approached the large ship.

Onboard, Song Heping noticed snipers positioned on the deck and the pilothouse, and further observed numerous armed agents alert at different positions at the bow and stern.

"They really are afraid of me..."

He couldn't help but feel sentimental.

Actually, Director Kelly hadn't taken Song Heping so seriously before.

For someone of her caliber, a small defense company like Song Heping's was nearly invisible.

It was just that this time the "Watcher" squad had been completely wiped out and captured, and Song Heping dared to call her directly for a meeting at sea, which piqued her interest in him.

As the speedboat neared the large ship, a ladder was lowered, and Song Heping said to Jiang Feng, "Wait here for me. If there's nothing to do, try some fishing. There are rods on board, and sea fishing is not bad."

Jiang Feng didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

His boss was really composed.

At such a time, it was uncertain whether the negotiations would succeed, whether the CIA would release them, or whether they would simply kill them and dump their bodies at sea.

The longer Jiang Feng spent with Song Heping, the more he began to view life and death indifferently.

Climbing aboard via the ladder, Song Heping was thoroughly searched by a few agents who checked for metal, signal sources, explosives, and weapons; they even took his belt.

"FUCK!"

Song Heping couldn't hold back anymore.

"You're even taking my belt?!"

"It's a weapon too," the lead agent said while flicking the belt in his hand, "For someone like you, just a belt can kill."

Song Heping said, "I don't need a belt to kill people."

After saying that, he followed the lead agent towards the cabin.

Describing the security as 'three steps one post, five steps one sentry' wasn't an exaggeration.

Each one was armed with an MP7 submachine gun, wearing bulletproof vests, and equipped with various specific VBSS gears; clearly, Director Kelly had put a lot of effort into security.

In the conference room of the large ship, Song Heping met the director known as the "White-Haired Witch," Kelly.

"Ms. Kelly, hello."

Song Heping warmly extended his hand for a handshake.

The agents beside Kelly tensed up and blocked in front of her.

"It's okay, Mr. Song's presence means he bears no hostility."

Kelly was bold, taking the initiative to shake hands with Song Heping.

"Please, take a seat."

The two of them sat down facing each other next to the conference table.

Song Heping said, "You have at least 30 armed agents on your ship, ma'am. Do you really think such high security is necessary?"

Kelly studied Song Heping for a long while before asking, "Which unit did you serve in the PLA before?"

Song Heping replied, "That's not important. What matters is who I am now and what we are about to discuss."

"Very well," Kelly nodded. "I like straightforward people. Tell me, our operation has failed, what are your terms for releasing the hostages?"

"No conditions necessary. I can release them right now," said Song Heping, "but only under one condition—I want to know why you targeted me."

He smiled and spread his hands, "After all, I am just a defense company owner who always had pleasant collaborations with your military, even performing high-risk operations for the military intelligence in the Afghan Region. Didn't your CIA ever bother to ask your military about that?"

Song Heping was not afraid to mention this because he was well aware of the existing rift between the military and the CIA. He knew that the military would unlikely inform the CIA about the operations in the Afghan Region, and asking Kelly wouldn't yield her anything. The military would likely despise Kelly even more for targeting him.

Sure enough, when Song Heping mentioned his activities in Afghan, Kelly felt a slight shock.

The intelligence department and Special Forces of the military had meddled with drug control issues in Southern Afghan, something she knew of. This matter was also under discussion with the Department of Defense. After all, the drug issue in Southern Afghan and the support for local pro-Amertican armed forces wasn't just the CIA's interest. Even Britain's Military Intelligence Bureau had a stake in it. The current situation there was murky, with different factions acting independently, often leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. As a result, the CIA was eager to consult and cooperate with the military to align their actions and avoid internal losses.

"So it is indeed…" Kelly had always sensed that Song Heping had a special relationship with the military, and now it seemed…

Was he and his company the military's dirty work gloves?

If that was the case, it would be like the temple being flooded during a surge.

Suddenly, Kelly also realized why Song Heping dared to meet her unarmed and carefree, and why he didn't simply kill those "Watchers" who had come to capture him.

"I think… there must be some misunderstanding here," Kelly said. "Are you supporting the ELN Armed Forces?"

Her question hit the mark.

Song Heping had already planned his response.

"Some of their key operational personnel are trained by us. I am in the defense business, is that a problem?" It was all planned out.

The matter of wiping out the Green Berets squad, he certainly couldn't admit to that.

And Song Heping felt the CIA had no evidence anyway.

Bombing the AUC Armed Organization, that he could admit.

After all, it wasn't as if he bombed the US Army.

He was just a defense company, taking money to eliminate problems for others.

Kelly said, "But the ELN Armed Forces is an armed group we aim to eradicate. By helping them, you are opposing us."

"From what I recall, you claim to attack them under the guise of fighting drug crimes, right?" Song Heping said. "But, the ELN Armed Forces don't deal drugs; they're only involved in oil smuggling and extortion."

That left Kelly speechless.

Indeed, it was the American side that was in the wrong.

"That's from the White House, I don't need to clarify the issues involved to you."

"Come on," said Song Heping. "You just want to eliminate any armed organization that opposes the current pro-American Colombian government. But do you think that eliminating the ELN would improve the situation? If the ELN's organization were disbanded, where would their people go? Obviously, they would join the FARC Armed Forces. Even if you help the Colombian government, you can't eliminate the FARC. If the people from ELN join them, you will be even more at a loss, understand?"

FARC was indeed the largest anti-government armed force within Colombia, and its strength was not comparable to AUC or ELN.

For many years, the Colombian Government Army indeed hadn't achieved much in eradicating the FARC forces, let alone making any significant progress.

Song Heping wasn't wrong—unless the US Army intervened directly, even supplying arms to the Colombian Government Army would hardly eradicate FARC.

"So you mean to say that what you're doing is actually helping us?" Kelly asked sarcastically.

"I'm not so noble as to want to help you," Song Heping replied. "I'm only interested in money. I run a defense company—you pay, I do the job."

"So if I give you money, can you even eliminate the ELN?" Kelly asked.

"Of course, why not? It all depends on how much you're willing to pay," he replied.

"How much do you want?" Kelly asked.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com